Football Italia's World Cup review

The 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup proved to be tournament where the joint-most goals were scored, where entertaining games were fast and plenty and where the host nation enjoyed the most remarkable rollercoaster. Whilst Brazil '14 ultimately ended in German success, it will be an edition that will also live long in the memory.

Nation by nation review

32 nations went into the World Cup with hopes of realising dreams. Reflect on those that were dashed and those that were exceeded in our nation by nation review. Read more

Golden Ball - Lionel Messi, Argentina

Lionel Messi’s selection as the 2014 World Cup’s best player raised eyebrows, but Jeremy Lim considers the argument in his favour. Read more

Golden Boot - James Rodriguez, Colombia

James Rodriguez brought flair and inspiration to Colombia, says Mark Siglioccolo, and deservedly topped the World Cup scoring charts. Read more

Coach of the Tournament - Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica

Team of the Tournament

A World Cup packed with world class performers across the park, Livio Caferoglu struggled to find just 11 for a 3-4-1-2 Team of the Tournament. Read more

Calcio’s month in the sun

From record breakers to award winners, Serie A players were centre stage in Brazil. Luca Cetta recaps the best and worst from calcio’s representatives. Read more

Action round-up

Final - Netherlands took third, just as a third meeting at the final stage with Argentina ultimately saw the 2014 World Cup Final belong to Germany. Read more

Semi-finals - Semi-finals between four of the world's footballing superpowers saw records broken in one and hearts broken in the other. Read more

Quarter-finals - Tight across the board, the final eight teams in the World Cup played out tense but entertaining affairs for a spot in the semi-finals. Read more

Round of 16 - The goal average may have dropped, but the Round of 16 still continued the 2014 World Cup's narrative of scintillating football. Read more

Group stage - Surprises and goals were in equal measure during a busy group stage of the 2014 World Cup. Read more

Italy's World Cup diary

Italy headed out to Brazil with hope of a positive World Cup, but returned confused and broken after group stage elimination. Relive the highs and mostly lows from the Azzurri’s month in South America. Read more

Prandelli’s Azzurri plight

Richard Thomas looks back at where it all went wrong for Cesare Prandelli, both in the run up to and during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Read more

Azzurri player ratings

Brazil '14 ultimately proved to be a tournament to forget for Cesare Prandelli and his boys in blue. Sam Lewis rates their performance. Read more